About this project

About the Artist

Creating art offers me opportunities to discover and share a greater understanding of the world in which I live. Art resonates the most when it serves as a form of language that transcends grammar. Specific to In A Place, I was able to study beauty from a philosophical perspective and embrace a better understanding of how beauty affects my life.

Having a background as a visual effects artist in both theater and film production has had a huge influence on my work. The aspects of escape and wonder were the sparks that ignited the In A Place project. The picnic table can represent many things to as many viewers, but the work’s overall approach is to inspire the viewer to take in the little moments and look around them, to find the unexpected. I believe as one becomes accustomed to finding new details in the simplest of surroundings, they become more aware of details in the larger world around them as well.

An equal influence on my work has also been my education as a philosophy major. Philosophy has extensively fueled the content and context of my work, and my passion as a conceptual artist is to provide a fresh and alternative perspective on any subject that might seem obscured by traditional language.

About the Book and the Project

In A Place features an assortment of diverse hand-sculpted miniature picnic tables placed in commonly overlooked neighborhood environments. The composition of each image is framed so that the natural surroundings of the picnic table appear to be new and exotic locales. The charm of the picnic table placed in these landscapes works to make the content and context of In A Place accessible to everyone, not just art enthusiasts.

The 13” x 10” 96-page full color art book features 96 unique images captured over the past six years. Also included are three short commentaries journaling my experience creating In A Place, as well as a brief examination of the question What Is Beauty, a subjective value vs. an objective truth.

The special first edition will be the only hardcover edition produced by The Suboken Project, and the suggested retail value for the book is $59.99.

The layout and editing of the book are already finished and I am in the final stretch seeking completion funds to self-publish the first edition. With $17,000 raised, I will be able to cover the printing costs of the entire first edition of the book. However, if the In A Place Kickstarter project raises more funds than I'm asking for, I have some additional rewards for everyone to enjoy.

If we raise $20,000, all backers will receive a set of official In A Place themed wallpapers for your computer, tablet, and smartphone!

If we raise $25,000, all backers will receive another special In A Place themed gift which will be revealed after we hit the $20,000 mark.

If we raise $30,000, all backers will receive another special In A Place themed gift which will be revealed after we hit the $25,000 mark.

The timeline is to have the first edition printed and shipped by January 2013. In February 2013, I’ll be hosting two official release parties, one in San Francisco and one in the greater Palm Springs area, both being locations where a significant portion of In A Place pictures were taken. Then, depending on the reception and success of my project, I’ll tour the book to libraries, bookstores, galleries, and museums including meet-the-artist book signings.

Risks and challenges

Since the photo selection, layout design and editing of the book are already finished, the final step for my project is simply raising the funds and awareness to make the book available for everyone to enjoy. I have been working closely with Palace Printing & Design, setting up the specific formatting instructions to manufacture a beautiful first edition of the book. Now all they are waiting on is for me to give them the green light to start printing.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

In addition to all previous rewards, you'll receive an invitation to attend one of the two In A Place release parties in San Francisco and the Coachella Valley. You will also receive named credit as a participating contributor in public presentations of the first edition of the book (individual or family name) (elected anonymity will be respected).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

In addition to all previous rewards, I'll send you two signed limited edition 8 x 10 prints from the In A Place collection (1 of these prints is a Kickstarter exclusive). International friends please add $30.00 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

In addition to all previous rewards, you will be the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind miniature picnic table hand-crafted by me, including letter of authenticity. Plus, you will receive a signed 8 x 10 print of your unique miniature picnic table featured in an In A Place setting (a Kickstarter exclusive). International friends please add $30.00 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

In addition to all previous rewards, you will receive a case of ten copies of In A Place. Note: if a previous reward is sold out, you will still receive that reward. International friends please add $30.00 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

In addition to all previous rewards, you will receive a Suboken original 24 x 36 acrylic painting of an In A Place scene. Note: if a previous reward is sold out, you will still receive that reward. International friends please add $30.00 for shipping.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $4,000 or more
About $4,000

In addition to all previous rewards, I will travel to your nearest major city and join you and your guests for a meet-the-artist dinner party, hand delivering all of your rewards (available in the United States only). Note: if a previous reward is sold out, you will still receive that reward.